Researchers from Heriot-Watt University, Henan University and Vivekanand College developed a transparent silica-based coating that repels water, dust and dirt, enabling self-cleaning solar panels while improving efficiency and lowering maintenance costs.
March 12, 2026. By EI News Network
Researchers from Heriot-Watt University, Henan University, and Vivekanand College, Kolhapur have developed a transparent, water-repellent coating that can make solar panels self-cleaning while improving their power output.
The innovation, detailed in the journal 'Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects', uses a dual-layer coating that repels water, dust and dirt without blocking sunlight from reaching photovoltaic cells.
According to Sudhagar Pitchaimuthu, associate director of energy materials and technology at Heriot-Watt University’s Research Centre for Carbon Solutions in Edinburgh, the coating can be applied not only to newly manufactured panels but also retroactively to existing solar installations.
He explained that dust, dirt and bird droppings often reduce solar panel performance, while cleaning them can be costly and may risk damaging the panels. The new coating combines a thin adhesive base layer with hydrophobic silica nanoparticles. As the material cures, the nanoparticles create microscopic roughness that traps air on the surface. This causes water to form droplets and roll off the panel, carrying dirt away and enabling a self-cleaning effect.
The research team deliberately avoided using polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), opting instead for silica, a widely available and environmentally friendly material derived from sand and quartz.
Lead author Shanhu Liu from Henan University said silica is a low-cost and sustainable alternative to fluorinated polymers or rare metal oxides. The team is also exploring the use of green ammonia, produced from renewable hydrogen, during manufacturing to further reduce the coating’s environmental footprint.
Co-author Sanjay S. Latthe from Vivekanand College noted that improving solar panel efficiency, even slightly, could have a large cumulative impact as solar installations expand globally. The next phase of the research will test the coating under extreme weather conditions, including cold and wet climates like Scotland and desert environments such as Dubai.
If testing proceeds successfully, the researchers expect the coating to reach the market within five years.
The study received support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the State Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Green Resource Recycling, the PetroChina Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, and the Seed Money Scheme of Vivekanand College.

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